MATTAMUSKEET — With laughter ringing across the Mattamuskeet School grounds and the scent of funnel cakes drifting through the air, Hyde County’s annual Farm Days brought together neighbors, families, and farmers Saturday for a celebration of community spirit, local pride, and small-town tradition.
Held Nov. 1 and hosted by the Hyde County Chamber of Commerce, the daylong festival celebrated the county’s agricultural roots and tight-knit culture through food, music, pageantry, and fireworks — a combination that drew hundreds of visitors from every corner of the county and beyond.
“This has been so much fun and everyone looked so beautiful and did an amazing job!” said 15-year-old Henley Gibbs, a sophomore at Pungo Christian Academy who was crowned Miss Hyde County 2025. “I was so nervous I was shaking,” she admitted with a smile. “But I love the fact that we have accessibility to the outdoors at all times — that’s part of what makes Hyde County so special.”
A Day of Celebration
Farm Days kicked off at 10 a.m. with a full slate of activities stretching late into the evening, capped off by a fireworks display courtesy of HY-CO Pyrotechnics. Throughout the day, the campus buzzed with the sounds of live music, the hum of carnival rides from DC Amusements, and the chatter of neighbors reconnecting after the busy harvest season.
Families strolled among booths offering everything from handmade crafts to local farm produce, while children lined up for the dunking booth and spider jump attractions. The Mattamuskeet Senior Class kept busy running the dunking booth, while the Beta Club operated the playful “Farm Days Jail,” where festivalgoers could “arrest” their friends for fun.
A highlight for younger children was A Triple C Farm Party’s petting zoo, where kids got up close with goats, rabbits, and miniature horses — all under the supervision of smiling volunteers.
Food was another centerpiece of the day, with vendors serving hot plates of barbecue, seafood baskets, and homemade desserts from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Booths representing local artisans — including Beauty & Bliss, North Creek Woodworks, and Keri Kreations — showcased the craftsmanship that thrives in the region.
Pageantry and Pride
The beauty pageants — a beloved Farm Days tradition — took center stage throughout the afternoon, drawing large crowds of parents, friends, and supporters to the auditorium.
The competitions included Little Miss Hyde County, awarded to Lyla Marshall; Young Miss Hyde County, to Mary Sellers Luker; Junior Miss Hyde County, to Anna Bliss; and Miss Hyde County, to Gibbs.
During the Miss Hyde County competition, the audience also celebrated its youngest contestants as Baby Miss Charli Simpson and Baby Mr. Hyde County Weston Allen were crowned, earning big cheers from the crowd.
From sparkling gowns to heartfelt introductions, each contestant shared their love of Hyde County and the rural lifestyle that unites the community. “It’s not just about beauty,” one pageant organizer said. “It’s about giving these young ladies confidence, poise, and pride in where they come from.”
Gibbs said winning the title was a dream come true — but the best part was seeing how supportive everyone was. “Everyone here cheers for one another,” she said. “That’s what makes Farm Days feel so special — it’s not about competition, it’s about community.”
Community Effort
Behind the scenes, dozens of volunteers and sponsors worked tirelessly to make Farm Days 2025 a success. The Hyde County Chamber of Commerce extended its thanks to the County of Hyde, food and business vendors, the Farm Days committee, pageant coordinators, judges, emcees, and entertainment providers who kept the crowds engaged from start to finish.
The Chamber also praised Mattamuskeet School for serving as the host site. “We couldn’t have done it without you,” organizers said in a public thank-you message after the event.
Local organizations such as Mattamuskeet FFA, Community Schools and AgCarolina Farm Credit to meet residents and talk about the future of Hyde County.
Fireworks and Farewell
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the energy on the school grounds only grew stronger. A live band took the stage from 6 to 8 p.m., and the crowd danced as children waved glow sticks and families enjoyed one last funnel cake.
Then, from 8:30 to 9:15 p.m., the night sky over Lake Mattamuskeet erupted in color as fireworks brought the day to a spectacular close. Families cheered, friends took photos, and parents held their children close as the bursts of light reflected off the water — a fitting finale for a day devoted to celebration and togetherness.
By night’s end, tired but happy festivalgoers agreed that Farm Days 2025 was one of the best yet.
Looking Ahead
For many, Farm Days is more than just an event — it’s a reunion, a symbol of resilience, and a reminder that even in a small coastal county, tradition runs deep.
The Chamber of Commerce is already looking ahead to its next community celebration, Christmas in the Quarter, and has begun counting down to Farm Days 2026.
As fireworks faded and the crowd dispersed, Miss Hyde County 2025 Henley Gibbs reflected on what the day meant to her. “This day reminded me how lucky we are to live here,” she said. “Hyde County might be small, but the heart of this community is huge.”
From the baby contestants in their tiny sashes to the volunteers behind the scenes, Farm Days 2025 offered a vivid portrait of Hyde County — a place where family, friendship, and hometown pride still shine as bright as the fireworks that closed the show.
